India isn't just one cuisine — it's 36 distinct culinary traditions, each with its own spice blends, cooking techniques, and signature dishes.
- Vegetarian food in India is among the best in the world
- Regional cuisines vary dramatically — North ≠ South
- Street food is a national obsession
- Indian bread (naan, roti, paratha) has 30+ varieties
- Spice levels vary greatly — ask for 'mild' if needed
1. Butter Chicken — Moti Mahal, Delhi
Invented at Moti Mahal in the 1950s — tandoori chicken in rich tomato-butter sauce.
Must-try: Butter Chicken with Naan — ₹600 (~$7 USD)
2. Biryani — Paradise, Hyderabad
Basmati rice layered with marinated meat, fried onions, and saffron, slow-cooked in sealed pot.
Must-try: Chicken Biryani — ₹350 (~$4 USD)
3. Vada Pav — Mumbai
Spiced potato fritter in soft bun with chutneys. At ₹20, it's one of the world's best cheap eats.
Must-try: Vada Pav — ₹20 (~$0.24 USD)
4. Masala Dosa — MTR, Bangalore
Crispy golden crepe filled with spiced potato curry. MTR since 1924.
Must-try: Masala Dosa — ₹150 (~$1.80 USD)
5. Chaat — Chandni Chowk, Delhi
Crispy, tangy, spicy, sweet street snacks. Try gol gappe (pani puri).
Must-try: Gol Gappe — ₹30 (~$0.36 USD)
6. Rogan Josh — Ahdoos, Srinagar
Kashmir's lamb curry with Kashmiri chilies and aromatic spices. Since 1918.
Must-try: Rogan Josh — ₹450 (~$5.40 USD)
7. Thali — Gujarat and Rajasthan
Steel platter with 10-15 small dishes — the ultimate Indian meal.
Must-try: Rajasthani Thali — ₹300-500 (~$3.60-6 USD)
8. Tandoori Chicken — Karim's, Delhi
Roasted in clay tandoor until charred outside, juicy inside. Since 1913.
Must-try: Tandoori Chicken — ₹300 (~$3.60 USD)
9. Fish Curry — Ritz Classic, Goa
Fresh fish in tangy coconut-tamarind curry.
Must-try: Fish Thali — ₹350 (~$4 USD)
10. Momos — Delhi
Tibetan dumplings with fiery red chili sauce.
Must-try: Chicken Momos — ₹80 (~$1 USD)
11. Chole Bhature — Delhi
Spicy chickpea curry with deep puffy bread.
Must-try: Chole Bhature — ₹80 (~$1 USD)
12. Rasgulla — KC Das, Kolkata
Soft spongy cheese balls in sugar syrup. Since 1930.
Must-try: Rosogolla — ₹60 (~$0.72 USD)
India Food Budget
Sources: Ministry of Tourism India, Lonely Planet
